Friday Football – Checking On Off-Season Warriors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's another early-morning Friday Film session and notes review to stay ahead of the growing number of players who I want to highlight this spring and early summer. With camps, combines and clinics and even some consulting coming up in my near future, it is going to be a busy snapshot in time so I want to get the important stuff squared away before all the free time is spoken for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The concept of putting <em>"first things first"</em> - and no, we're not talkin' about a sports talk show here - but rather the age-old process of getting your priorities organized and executed before you do anything else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And for aging warriors like me, it means <em>early</em> while there is still <em>juice</em> in the tank...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shining a spot light on guys flying under the radar for whatever reason and assisting with a little recognition along their prep football journey is definitely a priority.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For many of the players below and others throughout the state, first things first means getting up before school to train for football before all the demands on their time come flooding in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It can, and most likely will, also make for tough choices along the way but once you've bought in on grinding to be elite there is really no other option considered.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this report we are focusing on five guys who have prioritized their football training and in doing so are on the fast track to posting big seasons this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first two slots below we will take a quick look at a couple of guys approaching the critical senior season as decorated, battled-tested ballers coming off big seasons a year ago, and then three underclassmen who caught my eye last fall and are guys I made a note to circle back later and see if they were still on the same impressive performance trajectory as before.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So, without further adieu, let's take a closer look at the&nbsp;<em><strong>Friday Five</strong></em>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1113368' first='Daxton' last='Minton']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/daxton-minton/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'0, 195, QB,&nbsp;<em>Great Bend</em>, '26. After a 9-1 record and passing for 1,800+ yards and 22 touchdowns last fall - despite typically playing half the game due to blow outs - he is focused on an even bigger senior year. He is getting ready to lead one of the most lethal passing attacks in the state this fall, as returning on the flank will be 6'6 senior to be, D1-bound, and all-world [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'] as well as super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='933826' first='Cooper' last='Ohnmacht'], who is the returning state champion in the triple jump as a frosh last year. With his accurate missile-launcher of an arm, he can make all the throws, from quick darts in the short game to launching tight, ball-placement bombs with delicate touch. Currently, he is playing baseball, and other than the Fort Hays camp, is undecided on others. Regardless, get your popcorn handy, he is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1228898' first='Nick' last='Anciaux']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-anciaux/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/nick-anciaux/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'5, 265, OL,&nbsp;<em>Kapaun</em>, '26. It has been a busy off-season so far and he is just getting warmed up. Closing in on a dozen D1-offers to date, he most recently received commitments from New Mexico and Air Force and will be on hand in Manhattan tomorrow for KSU's Junior Day. As an all-state performer last season, he has prototype size and reach and has quick, nimble feet that he optimizes for positioning and rock-solid leverage. Between training with PIA and legendary Coach Tabor, as well as in the team's off-season workout program, he is going to be ready for an encore senior season. He is still in the process of determing which camps to attend, but will be plenty busy in the meantime with planned visits to Rice, Navy and Arkansas State coming up. Currently he is staying busy throwing the shot and discus on the track team. This guy is peaking at the right time and is already shifting into destroyer mode for the coming season. .</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='935500' first='Timi' last='Moronfolu']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/timi-moronfolu/"></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/timi-moronfolu/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 5'10, 175, DB,&nbsp;<em>Eisenhower</em>, '27. He is another baller who is coming off a good sophomore season getting acclimated to the varsity game. A talented two-way player, he stands out on defense as a shut-down corner or moves back in zone as a heat-seeking safety to disrupt the opposition's passing schemes. Last fall he was busy on the perimeter, piling up 42 tackles, recovered a pair of fumbles and picked off a pass. He has been training hard locally with Coach Daniels since the first of the year and it is already reaping dividends, as he was recently clocked at 22 mph (which translates to just a hair under 4.6 in the 40), posted an explosive 36" vertical, and has put on five pounds of muscle. His camp season is getting ready to heat up as he is headed to Tulsa in the near future and then later will go to Washburn. He is locked in on making '25 sizzle, so get out and see a ballhawk corner in action this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1586378' first='Pete' last='Vega']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/pete-vega/"></a> </strong>, 5'10, 180, RB/DB, <em>Andover</em>, '27. After a promising sophomore season getting varsity carries for a loaded Andover backfield, he has been hard at it in the off-season getting ready to take it to the next level this fall. With a low-center of gravity and good read and react instincts finding gaps, he uses his burst to tack on additional yards after the initial hit. He has been busy in the off-season hitting the weights and doing speedwork, and is another baller training with PIA and Coach Tabor; so you know he is going to be the best version of himself by the time August rolls around. In addition to the football work, he has expanded his cross-training, getting out and mixing it up playing rugby when he has the time. His spring and summer schedule is loading up fast as he has already committed to camps at KU and K-State and is considering others. Get this guy on your watchlist as he is getting ready to light it up this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1591856' first='Elijah' last='Bergeson']</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/elijah-bergeson/"></a>&nbsp;</strong>, 6'1, 175, RB/ATH,&nbsp;<em>Winfield</em>, '28. The Vikings have another rising star on the loose and he is getting ready for a breakout season this fall. A versatile baller on offense, he has good size and speed and is one who can shred the perimeter on the ground or catch the swing pass out of the backfield. On defense in the secondary he has shown significant promise, and with his athleticism, quick feet and length he is a nightmare for opposing wide receivers. It has been a busy off-season as he just wrapped up a successful 7v7 season with the <em>Kansas Colts</em> and has already shifted gears to track where he is closing in on the all-time high jump record. In his last meet he took first place and was one inch away from the record (6'3"). His spring and summer training plans do not include any camps as he will focus locally in the Viking's standout off-season program. Get this guy on your watchlist as he is going to put on a show this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In conclusion, get these guys on your off-season watchlist and follow their off-season progress as we roll into fall. Also, give me a shout via DM on X if you run across anyone flying under the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And, as always.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Keep grindin'</em>...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->